Author's Note

Dear reader,
Thank you for choosing my work for your reading pleasure.
May you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Sincerely

2135D

Chapter 1. Performance

It was very bright up here. From her hiding place she could only make out the murmuring crowd under this balcony. There was a hum of patrons below blissfully unaware of who was joining their merriment this eve. It was by grace alone that the manager, and owner, of this humble theatre had allowed safe passage anonymously. She was given the private balcony but it was unfortunately well illuminated. She would have to hide behind the rail until the lights dimmed.

The seating was a testament to the former glory of days long past. The cushions were polished clean but nevertheless faded from use, the edging beginning to lose its stitching. Brass feet were worn and their once shining plating had been long lost to a carpet with absent chunks of weave. Observing the contrasting care with which the under level was maintained, it was clear a high ranking member of society had not graced The Starlight Lounge for a long time.

A long time.

Princess Luna slumped against the rail with a heavy sigh. A long time indeed. So long in fact that great halls as these could have been planned, built, used, and worn down in her absence. In younger years she would have reviled the upkeep but now she could not care for its condition in the least. She had after all recently been in a place far worse.

It was a reminder of one thousand years lost under banishment spent in an unsound nightmare. A thousand years was a great time to lose even for a pony with her seemingly endless lifespan. A thousand years is a great time lost even to immortals. Luna had wished to pass her thousandth birth year in a kingdom restored to its former glory, sadly the alternative proved traumatic.

The changes were maddening, but her sister had made the return as comfortable as possible. Princess Celestia was burdened by heavy heartache having had to banish her only family under a terrible turn of madness. Celestia had planned for that return however and cured Luna of the madness that she bore for a millennia. She had even taken great strides to rally her sister's strength.

To this end she had suggested Luna to take an evening free to enjoy some of the new features of this strange world. Luna would have preferred training further in diplomacy, spell crafting, anything to help her become the ruler she saw herself being in this time. The gossiping ponies in the castle however made it impossible to stay away.

This performance was on the tongues of everypony in the castle staff. Tonight was a magic stage show of sorts in this theatre. A song and routine supposedly depicting the era Luna fell to a darkness within.

She shuddered and wrapped her wings in battle against the icy grip in her stomach. Concentration on the pattern of the wallpaper helped relieve her mind of that turmoil. She was sickened with her legs trembling slightly, with her hooves clutching her belly. This might have not been the best of notions to attend that story. It was difficult to remember such things.

The thought of what might be was keeping her nerves at bay, that and the warm tea served by a fawning manager. Tea was a drink Luna enjoyed a great deal.

An exhale to calm her breath and the clattering plates became the preoccupying sound. Her name could be heard being whispered over many a table. Luna did not enjoy the endless interest and fascination brought down by this new world. It had been difficult to maintain the royal demeanour, but there were a few ponies that made it far more welcoming than hoped.

As experience had taught, this might prove to be an occasion worth facing. Luna would stare down her past tonight, or at least something close. She would make peace with it. Princess Luna found herself excitedly anxious.

The lights slowly dimmed to dark and the excited murmurings of the crowd fell silent. Finally taking the chair on her balcony, Luna was still worried over this act she was about to see. Tonight was the second last performance of this story, she had to see it.

Despite the condition it was comfortable up here. She was alone as preferred and warm. The manager quietly stepped beside her and laid a plate of confections. Luna lit her horn slightly and ruffled for some bits. The manager denied them however and once again Luna could not pay. She was so eager to pay for something, but it was impossible being her and paying it seemed. At least this owner had kept her word and been discrete. No nervous performers tonight, Luna would enjoy it as every other pony did.

As the audience waited, she admired the courage of the act; to tell the tale of what had happened to her. Nopony yet had been brave enough to try since her return, the reputation as Nightmare Moon, her madness, still fresh in the minds of Equestria. This Marionetter was the first one to perform it on stage, and she was still completely anxious over what to expect.

Heavy steps echoed around the darkened theatre and the murmuring began again. A single dim, broad light shone on stage and illuminated a thick cloud. Luna found it more than strange to see a cloud of all things on a ground level stage. There came a pure white glow through a dense fog. In the centre rear of the stage was a black, shiny pony, neatly dressed in modest dark wear; no tie, no colour at all. She could only make out the head and eyes from here. The fog was too dense to see through as it poured over the edge of the stage and into the small band below. Even from here though, she could see it was a pony magician.

The mist was oddly captivating. There was a tone that struck odd in Luna’s mind. It did not move naturally. There was no weight to it, no indication of a breeze. It was moving with purpose, pulsing in and outwards to form a thickness she could best make out around the head of the black pony.

A spotlight came to escort an elegant mare from the left of the stage, the mist parting before her. She was an amber earth pony, no horn or wings to be seen. She wore a fine red dress, a gown with crystal stoned embedded around the shoulders. Luna found her beautiful surrounded by the fog. She gracefully bowed, the pony behind following cue. The patrons politely applauded to welcome them and the theatre was completely silent as the mare stood tall.

“Welcome to The Starlight Lounge Performance Theatre, we hope you are enjoying your dining experience. My name is Melody. Tonight we shall go on a journey in time. We shall go back to when The Princess Celestia and The Princess Luna were but days away from the fateful night where Nightmare Moon came into being.”

The mare closed her eyes and cleared her throat. A single piano chord struck and she released a single note that echoed around the theatre, the volume was impressive. Luna smiled as it carried around and blanketed her, such a powerful voice from such a modest performer. It abruptly stopped.

The piano carried a light melody and Luna was amazed at the sight. The fog was taking shape, the kingdom of Canterlot, and its castle, rose behind the mare. The images were as solid as life, an impressive feat for any magician. She could see the source from here, the black pony as it held two small white wands that glowed brilliantly. She felt a tingle up her spine as the mare began and the magnificent scene breathed a life of its own. The piano stopped, only the sweet voice carried out. There was such silence that each ending note echoed long and proud.

The castle seemingly pulled closer, made larger as the image was brought through to the main foyer. Celestia and Luna were shown seated side by side on adjacent thrones.

“Two sisters of old, they watched over all.

Nopony could see, how far one would fall.

Their love was once strong, but soon it did fade…”

The Celestia effigy looked over to Luna in terror as her sister was engulfed in a pitch black flame,

“And from that lost love, a monster was made.”

The darkness around the Luna twisted open and birthed Nightmare Moon. She was frightening to behold and held every menace Luna remembered. It is not real, she reminded herself with a deep trembling breath.

The black pony swept the wands sharply and the scene was wiped clear to a pause of silence. A single violin played out, the melody perfectly accompanying the vocalist to deliver a sharp chill to Luna’s spine. She leaned forward and rested her head in her hooves on the edge railing. This was going to be good.

An upwards swipe from the black pony and the fog cloud shot up to create what was Princess Luna’s tower, once again the view pulled into her room. The details were remarkable, they had everything correctly represented down to the pictures on the walls. Sometimes she hated the attention she got, no doubt those magazines of home decor were to blame.

The full band played the melody. A mournful saxophone, a light hearted piano, a grumpy drum, and an excited violin

“One had the night, the other the day,

Yet only in light, did ponies go play,

Her sister was sad, and so full of spite,

For she wanted her ponies, to enjoy her night.”

The image of Luna was on her balcony staring out over a vast emptiness of a sleeping kingdom. The view grew smaller until all of Canterlot was on the stage. Tiny lights scattered about to create a surreal perspective of the height and distance. It was remarkable considering the modest size of this stage. It was frightening that she could remember those nights so well seeing this. The Luna effigy dropped her head and another swipe came from the black pony to twist the image about and glide over the silent kingdom.

“All ponies did sleep, in sweetest of dreams,

All addled with joy, not nightmarish scenes.”

Luna nearly gasped as the violin cut to something sinister and sharp, gripping her gut. A single ominous bell rang out. There were terrifying shadows growing on the walls of the kingdom, engulfing it in blackness. Luna managed to close her gaping mouth, this was as she had seen it. The coincidence was remarkable, such a scene did exist to near perfection all those years ago.

Another swipe and Celestia was now on her own balcony, a tide of pony images stretching out around the singer and cheering their princess. Not a sound came from the figures though. Luna saw the sticks the pony held grow brighter.

“Her sister was blind, in the light of her fame.

While her back had been turned,”

A sinister shadow rose up from behind Celestia,

“her love went insane.” The shadow pulled back into the castle, the image followed it to see a Luna convulsing on the ground. The scene became as large as the stage, as the body projected began to crack apart and show itself to cry.

“Her envy was strong, yet against it she fought,

The tide was too strong, her strength was for nought.”

The body shattered and Nightmare Moon rose up. She took off and floated over the crowd to their gasps and screams. While it did hurt Luna to be reviled that way, she had truly never seen something like this. The light emanating from her Madnesses effigy carried over and shone on the ponies underneath.

“The nightmares did come, and forms did they take,”

Luna gasped with the crowd as the black pony raised both sticks high, a sea of dark shadows following the cue in a twisted mass. The sight was awe inspiring. Celestia's image stood defiantly against Nightmare Moon and the horde. Luna was grateful the act left out how much damage had been done before this part. The shadows engulfed the stage, pushing the image of Celestia back over the crowd. She flew higher and the ponies in the audience screamed under the black smoke that twisted after the effigy in pursuit, breaking into the shapes of monstrous phantoms.

They emitted a glow about themselves, darkened blue tint which lit the strangely delighted faces of the ponies they flew over. The eyes and mouth pierced the silhouettes with sharp teeth and angered glares. Each spiralled after the other to be swatted away by the bright white wing of her sisters image. One spiralled to the balcony where she was, her heart terrified with what approached at alarming speed.

It stopped right before her. Luna grew nervous now, no longer able to see her subjects, barely able to separate a memory from what was witnessed. She had to keep reminding herself this was a performance. Many had seen it already, and they certainly did not exaggerate in their descriptions. That brief moment of clarity prevented her from parrying away the apparition with her own magic.

It encroached at hoof’s breadth, and Luna instantly watched the crowd below to see them staring up. They were not. Spaced evenly about the theatre were many apparitions. They held over tables and stalked the onlookers menacingly. Luna returned her attention to the one before her, unable to prevent her head from tilting in contemplation. The gaze the monster cast was hungered, leering in its secret thoughts. The sound of laughing patrons followed a mare's scream, cradling her hoof with delight after touching the apparition.

The band performed phenomenally, their music eerie and dark with long notes that strained to each individual completion. Luna reached up to the phantom hesitantly, passing her hoof into the wisps that dusted off it. Something in the air was of notice; the scent of rain soaked autumn leaves on a forest floor. It was a scent of magic, one she was not familiar with. Her hoof felt the cold air within, the prickling sensation drawing her own laugh out with the other ponies about.

Her sisters effigy had fallen and was restrained by these shadows, fighting to break free. Luna caught herself in admiration of the scene. There were more than a dozen shapes moving about, each one seemingly of their own volition. The one controlling them was too heavily bathed in mist to be seen. It demanded a great deal of concentration to wield this many characters without seeing them, and there was the slightest moment of respect to what was required to create this.

The Celestia image leapt up with a bright flash of light and the shadows restraining her exploded. The lingering ones in the audience returned their attention to her, retreating to leave the crowd laughing and whispering in their excitement. So many smiles adorned the faces. Luna caught herself joining them. The music returned to the tune of the song, the mare remaining in her position for a beautiful continuation.

“The sister fought on,”

The Celestia became surrounded by a wall of shadow around the stage, leaving her visible through a parting as she tried to stay the tide,

“but fell in their wake.”

The shadows closed in and she was engulfed. Luna could see it again, this version was far more glamorous. In her memory the nightmares blocked out the very sky.

A swipe from the glowing sticks and the dark cloud left, leaving the Celestia bound in chains with Nightmare Moon laughing out over her.

“The day had seemed lost, yet love did endure,

For the sister’s dark heart, was nowhere as pure.”

The image of Nightmare Moon clutched her chest and fell. Luna could not help a satisfied smirk, this was her favourite part.

“With the last of her strength, the night mare did cry;

Dear sister, dear sister, thou must banish I.”

Even Luna’s ears pinned back with a twinge hearing that rhyme. It was far from an eloquent one yet the ferocity with which the mare bellowed it out made her conviction in this poor wording commendable. It did depict a madness against which her effigy was grappling.

The scene was frightening as Nightmare Moon convulsed violently on the floor, alternating between torn shards of both Luna and Nightmare Moon. Celestia’s weeping form tried desperately to reach out to her sister from the chains. Their sound was incredible as it jingled the strain and looking to the band revealed a burly pony pulling on chains. Such detail was admirable.

Luna had remembered this moment with a heavy heart, seeing it here though... These effigies lies did that night honour. Sadness could be felt by all the ponies watching as the sisters struggled to reach for one another, one trapped by chains and the other by her seizure. Luna wiped a tear away remembering her sisters cries again.

The stage itself was silent with the violin building tension, but that anguish from so long ago never left her. The Celestia then stopped trying from her bindings and shut her eyes, tears falling as she lowered her head and her horn slowly glowed to brilliance. Ponies in the audience actually cried out for her to stop. The violin fell silent.

“With the heaviest pain, our sisters must part.”

A beam shot out from the horn to engulf the Luna and Nightmare Moon. The effigy mimed out her final cry as she was encased in blinding light and thrown to the sky. The chains around Celestia broke but she merely fell to the floor, unable to stand. Luna could feel the strain as her sisters image slowly lifted her head to follow the direction. A circular spin from the black pony and a large moon appeared, the shape of Nightmare Moon’s shadow growing across it.

“For one thousand years, broke is each heart.”

The Celestia transformed into Luna, the stage turning into the familiar white scape of the Moon itself. Luna was afraid, she hated that place. To see it again nearly made her scream.

Her heart stopped and her breath was caught as she saw the black pony look to her. She held still thinking it a coincidence. The fact that it hesitated however, showed it recognised her. In hindsight, it would have been wiser to remove the crown or take disguise. Too late now. The scape faded to darkness with only the moon in view, Luna did not doubt this Marionetter had seen her distress and grew ashamed. Even in this darkness she felt exposed. The piano burst to life and drowned her thoughts.

“But fear not my friends, one more chapter must be,

A thousand years past, and the Nightmare was free.”

The shadow on the moon faded, as did it. An elegant twirl and the scape showed Twilight and her friends facing off against Nightmare moon.

“Forever in night, was Nightmare’s true curse,

Yet the harmony stones, did save us from worst.”

The dramatised battle of the seven figures waged on as they danced around the singer. Never did her eyes open to the surrounding images.

“Then there came the six, who the burden did bare,

To pluck our young Princess, from eternal despair.”

Luna felt a tear seeing the struggling Nightmare Moon as the elements bathed her in their beautiful white light. This part was wrong, for it was a multicoloured rainbow light. She could feel it again, Nightmare Moon and her becoming one once more. That overwhelming peace she had felt being free. The ponies in the crowd cheered on. Luna Joined them, keeping her voice in check to remain undetected.

That black pony still focused on her though. Luna found it odd that it never blinked. The Luna image and the Celestia came to each other, sharing a warm, tearful and tender embrace to the cooing of the crowd. Such emotion in this performance. It captured the expressions of their relief, such detail to the craft.

“Our sisters are whole, and the day has been saved,

And because of one, their fears did they brave.”

A swipe and the Celestia and the Luna stood proudly together with Twilight Sparkle and her friends, a picturesque pose to end the story for sure.

“Remember these words, my ponies so dear.

As long as there’s love, you’ve nothing to fear!”

The mare held that note an impressive time before she, and the characters, bowed to cue the lights to cut off.

The crowds applause thundered around in the darkness. Luna cheered along and dared to whistle with them. She enjoyed that tribute very much, letting her tears carry out the emotion that built up seeing this. The lights returned and the vocalist smiled to take a bow. Luna was confused, the black pony was gone. The cloud slowly faded as the mare cantered out with another bow, still no sign of her partner.

This act had thankfully not met Luna’s fears, indeed it had performed a great service. The new world was not as welcoming and ignorance of her ordeal was abundant. This was a story to enlighten. More would come from other venues, yet this one had courage for being the first.

The lights to the theatre returned and Luna sat back in her modest hiding place with a sigh, her ears falling back as she caught her breath and dried her cheek. The adrenaline and emotion of the event drained away to leave her in a period of calm. This was the first time she had been calm since returning.

She tried to recall the endless tide of documents that needed to be signed over the past few weeks, and yet not one came from a theatre of any kind. There was a sense of infuriation at not being consulted for permission, yet it faded once she realised this would have never been should they have done so. Luna conceded her demeanour was still caught in the old world, its cold and regal exterior serving to divide herself from the ponies she once loved…still loved.

She noticed her hooves did not tremble, her legs were sturdy. She had found herself enjoying this traumatic memory with a certainty to see it once more. This was strange in a wonderful way. Luna had enjoyed this performance.

There was an opportunity this eve which prickled her ears high in its mere thought, her hoof touching her lips in consideration. Despite the fear of these strange ponies, she had to go and express her thoughts. Such performers deserved to know they had impressed the subject of the medium, honoured her; the Princess of the night.

The manager had been nervously waiting outside the balcony entrance. She stood to attention almost ready to bear Luna's wrath. Instead she smiled to the nervous mare.

“Very eloquent,” she sighed.

“R…really?”

“A most pleasurable evening. Your performance was well orchestrated.”

“Oh no, Princess Luna! This was all The Marionetter. I warned-”

“The black pony?” she interrupted.

“Umm…yes…”

“I wish to thank them all for their labour. Is this possible tonight?” The manager almost turned white.

“I do not know…”

“It shall not be long, merely my gratitude.”

“They are such a boorish bunch and your highness-”

“Merely my gratitude,” Luna repeated sternly. The mare shifted nervously. She had a host of twitches and it was clear her position held a great deal of stress.

“I’ll prepare them, Princess.”

“Nonsense,” she chuckled. “I want to surprise them.” Luna trotted along the corridor but noticed a lack of hoofsteps with hers. She smiled to the manager, still rooted in her spot. It was clear she was terrified of Luna’s reprise, or more terrified of Luna herself. Neither was complimenting. This mare was a lot more composed when she welcomed her. Luna gestured to her side. “I believe this is your theatre?”

“OF COURSE!” The mare bolted to Luna’s side and began an lengthly eulogy of the rundown theatre. It was built by a pony a long time ago and used for performances until the area became less prominent. It was apparently on the rise once more, and Luna was pretty sure she knew whom this mare had to thank for that.

The backstage area was dark and quiet. Luna followed the mare into the cavernous room to be greeted by the sight of the band ponies. They were laughing with a few drinks until the manager cleared her throat to get their attention.

“Ladies and gentlecolts, you have an admirer who wants to thank you for your performance.”

“Hey, Princess Luna!” the burly chain pulling pony laughed, “pull up a chair and grab a mug. You look like you could put a few away!” Luna stood frozen. The casual speech, the ease, the boldness of it. The only thing that stopped her from correcting this pony was how odd it felt. Nopony had spoken to her that way. That stopped her, and the trembling red face of the manager.

“This is the real Princess Luna.”

“Oh sure,” a red pony laughed. He sported his violin bow behind his ear as a scribe would their quill. He jumped up and tilted his head patronisingly to her, “Tell me, wha’s it like visitin’ this wee hole in your kingdom?” They all laughed out.

“Melody, this joke is getting old!” the ebony called out. “At least dress her up in something sexy to keep it interesting!” Luna’s cheeks flushed with fury. She did not know what was happening but she would speak up before they dug deeper graves.

“I assure you, good ponies, I am real.”

The laughter stopped dead.

The band of ponies did not smile anymore. They stared at Luna, then looked amongst themselves.

“Ya don’t think-”

“I think these cloud creatures of his can talk now.”

Cloud creatures. Luna found that oddly clarifying. It appeared the Marionetter might have taken the liberty of impersonating her offstage.

“Sure ‘LUNA’,” the burly pony gestured an exaggerated bow, “you are a real girl now!” His bravado won the approving laughter of the band. Luna’s cheeks only grew redder. Her fury was stopped short by the clattering sound behind the band. They turned about to reveal the singer, Melody, in a bath robe with a look of utter wide-eyed horror.

“Did you hear me? Next time dress her up-” the burly pony was silenced as Melody’s hoof slammed over his mouth. She was still wide-eyed, still rooted in place. Her hoof was stuck brushing her hair, but the brush had fallen.

The laughter stopped dead.

“I am so sorry about this, Princess Luna. The Marionetter make’s sport of them with his talents. I will discipline the ruffian as soon as your visit is done.”

“Please tell us this is a joke, lass.” Melody shook her head very slowly with a whimper.

The stage exploded in a chaotic blur as the few ponies scrambled around and over each other to line up and greet their Princess. They all bowed, nose to the ground and all cursing this Marionetter under their breath. Luna lost all anger and had to fight back an overwhelming urge to laugh. Decorum needed to be maintained at all costs.

“I…ahem, shall n-not hold it against thee, ahem, good ponies.”

“This is why I tell you not to play these jokes. No, I forbid them from now on. Am I clear?!”

“Yes Ma'am,” they chimed in unison.

“I see not the orchestrator of the stunt. Where is the one who wielded the little glowing sticks?”

“I’m afraid he has already left in urgent business, your highness,” the burly pony spoke to the floor, “he did not say where.”

“He? No matter, I shall still enjoy offering my most heartfelt congratulations to you all. You make your princess proud to serve the kingdom of Equestria. Your performance tonight was beautiful.” They remained silent in respect to her. “Rise, please.” Yet again she could not inspire the warmth and ease her sister could, seemingly striking that familiar fear into them all. She sighed, it would take time as her sister said. She shook each hoof enthusiastically, the warmest smile she could muster to accompany.

“Good. Please take your fooling around elsewhere lest we all get in trouble.” The manager was shaking from the ordeal. indeed it did almost turn out very unfavourably for them. They scattered and apologised profusely while backing out, leaving Luna and the manager alone.

“This black pony, was The Marionetter?”

The mare seemed caught in the question, “Yes...Princess Luna.”

“Is he the shy sort? Tis the reason he hides, your Princess assumes.”

“Not at all, Highness! He is a busy one.” She shuffled her hooves while Luna let the excuse hang between them. He had seen her whilst performing. It seemed he did not wish to wait for her wrath.

“Tis no matter. There shall be more moments for gratitude in the future. I shall enjoy visiting to pay witness to the next tale.”

“You are of course welcome any time at all, Princess Luna.”

“Perhaps next time I shall see the one who could not stay?”

The mare nodded, “ and I will ensure this chicanery stops tonight.”

“And that I may offer my gratitude to him in kind.”

“I will try to keep him here next time.” The owner smiled as she came out of her bow. “Let us be off, our chef has prepared his finest dessert for you. It is called moonlight serenade and has his secret recipe for ice cream.”

Luna’s ears perked up. “With the sprinkles of the chocolate?” she excitedly asked.

“Of course.”

“As long as I may pay for this.” The mare tried to protest but Luna glared that protest into submission.

Oh how these delights of the new world did tempt her. How could she remain when there were sprinkles of the chocolate to consume. This stallion would have to wait for this night, Luna could wait to thank him. After all, he was scheduled for another act tomorrow night.